Pictish throne built as part of new research project

A throne built to a design used by the ancient Picts has gone on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

The seat was created by master furniture maker Adrian McCurdy who drew inspiration from stone carvings.

It was commissioned by distillers Glenmorangie and National Museums Scotland (NMS).

The Picts dominated Scotland north of the Firth of Clyde from the 4th to the 9th centuries AD.

Their symbol stones continue to intrigue historians.

The throne is part of a wider project investigating Scotland's early history.

New findings

A new archaeological research post at the National Museum of Scotland has been created and new findings on Scotland's ancient past published in a book in 2011.

The throne will go on display first at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre from 1 December and at the Glenmorangie Distillery in Tain, Ross-shire, next year. It will be displayed at other sites later.

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David Clarke, keeper of archaeology at NMS, said thrones were a symbol of power for the Picts.

He added: "There are no surviving examples of thrones from early historic Scotland and during the process of recreating this piece we've learnt so much about the design, manufacture and use of these thrones.

"It's very exciting to see this type of throne brought to life for the first time in over a thousand years."

NMS collections include the 8th Century Hilton of Cadboll Pictish Stone, which was discovered near Glenmorangie House in Ross-shire.

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